About
The traditional character 滅 combines the water radical 氵 (shuǐ), indicating a connection to liquid, with the component 烕 (miè). This component contains 火 (huǒ) for fire and 戌 (xū), an ancient weapon, together conveying the idea of destroying a fire. Its modern simplified form, 灭, places a horizontal stroke 一 over the fire radical 火. This creates a clear ideogram representing the smothering or covering of a flame. From its core meaning of extinguishing fire, the character naturally extended to broader concepts like destruction, extermination, and complete disappearance, applying to objects, ideas, and even entire nations throughout its history.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
请把灯熄灭
火灾被及时扑灭了
他们消灭了所有敌人
这种动物已经灭绝了
我们必须消灭这种病毒
不要熄灭心中的希望
那个文明因战争而灭亡
他的梦想被现实扑灭了